FOI 21/22-0127: The qualifications of staff working in the Research and Evaluation Branch
Our Reference: FO! 21/22-0127
Tore) of) “the qualifications of ALL members of the research and evaluation branch. This information would in no way violate privacy to list, for example how many OTs, physios etc. any PhDs and Masters other other broad qualifications must state the discipline.”
Response
Dr Sam Bennett is the General Manager of Policy, Advice and Research and oversees the Research and Evaluation Branch.
The National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) Research and Evaluation Branch is responsible for ensuring that NDIA policies, practices and priorities are informed by trustworthy and robust evidence in improving the effectiveness of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIA publishes details of the qualifications, experience of Senior Executive level staff in Annual Reports as required by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and associated rules.
NDIA Annual Reports are available www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/publications/annual-report
The Research and Evaluation Branch comprises 18 staff members, excluding administration.
The professional experience within the Branch includes:
| Profession | Number |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapist | 2 |
| Occupational Therapist | 1 |
| Speech Pathologist | 1 |
| Public, population health, epidemiologist | 5 |
| Clinical Neuroscientist | 2 |
| Anthropologist | 1 |
| Social scientist | 1 |
| Psychologist | 1 |
| Health Economist | 2 |
| Epidemiologist/Psychometrician/Biostatistician | 1 |
| Health Services Researcher | 1 |
Thirteen staff have been awarded a PhD and 17 have received a Master’s Degree, there are a number of staff have been awarded two Master’s degrees. Across the Branch, the clinical staff members have between 10-35 years of experience working in disability or vulnerable
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Our Reference: FOI 21/22-0127
population groups. The Branch members, who undertake research or evaluations, have between 9-21 years of experience conducting or leading research.
The researchers and evaluators have an exemplary track record and in total have published 490 publications and 21 book chapters.